NOVEMBER ELECTION

LANSING, Mich. – Michigan Rep. Cynthia Johnson is under investigation after she posted on social media a response to the many violent, vulgar and racist death threats she’s received. The video, posted Tuesday night, has quickly gone viral and legislative leadership removed her from her House Oversight Committee assignments Wednesday. “My soldiers, they are soldiers for Christ, soldiers against racism, soldiers against domestic violence, soldiers against domestic terrorism,” Johnson said. Rep. Johnson has been removed from her committee assignments, and we are looking into further disciplinary action as the proper authorities conduct their own investigations. Whitmer, Secretary Benson, Rep. Johnson herself, and others.

LANSING, Mich. – Michigan Rep. Cynthia Johnson, the Democratic chair of the House Oversight Committee is receiving death threats due to the election. She posted several of the threats to social media. After both Democratic and Republican representatives have received threats of violence over the election, Michigan Assistant Minority Floor Leader Laurie Pohutsky posted on Twitter about the SNL sketch. The SNL skit was amusing, I guess, but last night my caucus was trying to figure out how to keep those on that committee safe from the deluge of death threats they’re receiving. I’m sorry to be a bummer and I’m glad people enjoyed the skit, but the reality of it is heinous.

LANSING, Mich. – While supporters of President Donald Trump stood outside the Michigan House office building, Trump’s attorney Rudy Giuliani testified before Michigan House on Wednesday, claiming massive voter fraud in Detroit. Giuliani brought with him witnesses, who signed affidavits that have already been presented in court in Trump campaign lawsuits and have been dismissed or pulled by the campaign. READ: Giuliani to Republicans: Pressure Legislature on Biden winThe Michigan Senate held a similar hearing on Tuesday. Michigan House Republications made it clear that Wednesday’s hearing was not about overturning election results in Michigan, but about listening to people who claimed they saw irregularities at the TCF Center in Detroit. Disputing President Donald Trump’s persistent, baseless claims, Attorney General William Barr declared Tuesday the U.S. Justice Department has uncovered no evidence of widespread voter fraud that could change the outcome of the 2020 election.

Giuliani said the U.S. Constitution empowers legislatures to appoint electors directly, even though the Legislature long ago passed a law allotting them to the popular vote winner. Biden won the state by 2.8 percentage points. “They're the ones who should have the courage to step up,” Giuliani said of lawmakers during a virtual event hosted by the Michigan Republican Party. Giuliani made wild claims of “massive cheating,” particularly by Detroit Democrats, that he said resulted in 500,000 to 700,000 “illegal” votes. Biden won 240,936 votes to Trump's 12,889.

DETROIT – Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson dispute claims made by Republican National Committee chairwoman Ronna McDaniel in regards to Michigan’s ballot counting process. However, the clerk accidentally did not update the software used to collect voting machine data and report unofficial results. In order to report unofficial results, county clerks use election management system software to combine the electronic totals from tabulators and submit a report of unofficial results. In response, Thomas issued a statement saying, “The accusations are wrong and reveal the person making them doesn’t know Michigan’s election process. The Republican-led Michigan State House and Senate will hold hearings on the “voting and counting process” in the state, according to House Speaker Lee Chatfield.

DETROIT – A steady stream of protesters lined up in front of the TCF Center in Detroit to rally Friday in support of President Donald Trump. Roughly 200 people demanded a review of Michigan’s election results. Nearly 2.8 million votes were cast for Former Vice President Joe Biden, who won the state. The crowd is questioning the results and have protested nearly everyday as results still come in from uncalled states. Any of the five states still up for grabs would call the election for Biden.

DETROIT – Two groups of protestors spent Thursday night yelling at each other outside the TCF Center in Detroit. What motivated these groups to come out may have been the counting of the ballots here but there were multiple ideologies. The central issue was the election between President Donald Trump and Joe Biden, but there were also rants about globalist conspiracies, anti-government, anti-mask and Black Lives Matter. Officers did move in to form a barrier between the groups when it looked like things were going to get physical. READ: Ballot counting finishes at TCF Center in DetroitREAD: Michigan AG addresses election integrity amid Trump lawsuitsREAD: Workers share experience inside TCF Center during ballot counting, protests

DETROIT – People representing both the GOP and the Democratic Party gathered at the TCF Center in Detroit on Wednesday to demand access to the room in which General Election ballots are still being counted. Under Michigan law, a number of individuals are allowed to observe the ballot-counting process to ensure transparency. That is still allowed during the 2020 presidential election, but there are more restrictions due to the coronavirus pandemic. The number of “watchers” allowed to partake in the process has been limited. There is no evidence of any nefarious activity in Michigan, as ballot counting delays were expected, given the massive increase in absentee voting.

LANSING, Mich. – Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson will hold a virtual press conference this morning at 11 a.m. to provide an update on the ballot counting process in Michigan. As of 9 a.m. today Joe Biden had taken a slight lead in the race against President Donald Trump. Battleground states that include Michigan, Wisconsin, Pennsylvania and Nevada are crucial to winning the White House race. Watch the live event in the video player aboveLatest on local and national races

Local 4′s Help Me Hank spent Election Day tracking down issues Metro Detroiters faced while casting their ballots at polling places across the area. A church that has always been a voting location in Westland wasn’t used this year, and that took some people who showed up to vote by surprise. City officials said notifications were sent to voters, telling them their location had recently changed. READ: Michigan officials warn voters about spread of misinformation on Election DayDemotus Alexander said he recently found out he has COVID-19. The Michigan Secretary of State’s office said so far, Election Day has been fairly smooth across the state.

DEARBORN, Mich. – Metro Detroit parents took their children to the polls Tuesday to help them vote in their very first presidential election. When their clock hit 6:30 a.m. Tuesday, Erica Banks told her daughter, Jordan Banks, it was time to get up and go to the polls. “She said, ‘Mom, I am super nervous,’” Erica Banks said. “I said, ‘Don’t be nervous.’”READ: Michigan officials warn voters about spread of misinformation on Election DayVoting is vital for Erica Banks. “I sat down and filled out my squares,” Jordan Banks said.

Election day has arrived, and Local 4 spoke with Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel to answer some of the most important questions that are still causing confusion for some residents. Election 2020: How WDIV reports election resultsYou can read Nessel’s answers to these questions below. Any form of intimidation or harassment at a polling place is a felony. What should I do if I encounter someone at my polling place who makes me feel unsafe? Are we going to see final results of the Michigan vote on election night?

What’s going to happen when residents around Michigan go to the polls Tuesday to vote in the General Election? One little incident could set someone off, so from a law enforcement standpoint, that is what you are worried about.”Is the state prepared for Tuesday? Election 2020: How WDIV reports election resultsWith that comes increased concerns about safety at the polls. “I think you’ve really got to keep an eye on the ballots,” Arena said. His office is on the lookout for anyone threatening voters who are trying to exercise their rights.

With one day left until Election Day on Nov. 3, more people from both campaign teams are showing up in Michigan, aiming to gather as many votes as possible. President Trump stopped in Washington Township Sunday, holding a rally at Total Sports Park. READ: Both presidential campaigns prioritize Michigan ahead of Election DayREAD: Michigan Election 2020: How to find your voting precinctFormer President Barack Obama, Vice President Mike Pence, former Second Lady Dr. Jill Biden and even Gov. In the meantime, Trump and Democratic Presidential candidate Joe Biden are both planning to campaign leading up to Tuesday. On Monday, Trump is preparing for his final two stops in Traverse City and Grand Rapids -- Grand Rapids was the final stop on Trump’s campaign trail back in 2016.

DETROIT – Cars packed Belle Isle Saturday for the drive-in rally held by Democratic Presidential candidate Joe Biden with former President Barack Obama. READ: Presidential candidates make final push for Michigan last weekend before Election DaySome people who attended addressed certain issues. On Sunday, Trump will hold a rally at 11 a.m. in Washington Township at Total Sports Park. Then on Monday, the president will be in Traverse City before holding a 10:30 p.m. rally at the Grand Rapids based Gerald R. Ford International Airport. READ: US judge orders USPS to speed up election ballot delivery in DetroitWatch the full report in the video above.

All rights reserved)Douglas Emhoff, the husband of Democratic vice presidential candidate Kamala Harris, is scheduled to visit Michigan on Sunday. Emhoff is set to attend a canvass launch at 1 p.m. in Ann Arbor, and then another at 2:30 p.m. in Madison Heights. On Saturday, Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden and former President Barack Obama visited Detroit and Flint. READ: Presidential candidates make final push for Michigan last weekend before Election DayPresident and Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump is also focusing campaign efforts toward Michigan voters in the final days leading up to the election. Then on Monday, the president will be in Traverse City before holding a rally at the Grand Rapids based Gerald R. Ford International Airport.

Proposal N -- on the Nov. General Election ballot for Detroit voters -- aims to eradicate blight and dilapidation across the city. Proposal N would allow the city of Detroit to sell $250 million in “Neighborhood Improvement Bonds” that will be used to save 8,000 vacant homes and demolish 8,000 others that can’t be saved. Those behind Proposal N are hoping to make real headway without hurting Detroiters. The fight against Prop N isn’t about money, but rather how the city has previously spent money. Election Day for the U.S. presidential election is on Nov. 3.

DETROIT – There are only a few days left until Election Day on November 3. City clerk Janice Winfrey spoke out Thursday, encouraging people to get out and vote in the upcoming presidential election. “We want every voter to show up and vote in this election,” Winfrey said. Voting lines could also be longer than usual on Election Day, as the state anticipates a record turnout of voters. President Donald Trump has called out Benson before, saying he is concerned about the election in Michigan and the integrity of the election process.

In addition to the races for office in the November election, Michigan voters should prepare to vote on a few proposals that would change the state’s constitution. Proposition 2, also known as Prop 2, would prohibit unreasonable searches or seizures of electronic data and communication by law enforcement. For years police have used technology, such as Stingray or Hailstorm, to collect broad data from cell phones. The measure has also been backed by the Michigan State Police, but some are concerned that the proposal could impede the work of law enforcement. If the proposal is passed this election, it would...Election Day for the U.S. presidential election is on November 3.

There is less than one week left before Election Day. She said the issue is expected to be settled before Election Day. Local and state police have been working around the clock to find potential threats or chatter online. Residents can also vote in person on Election Day, but because of the pandemic, you will be encouraged to wear a mask and practice social distancing. You can also register at your local clerk’s office on Election Day and vote in the presidential election.

LANSING, Mich. – With six days to go before Election Day, and record voter turnout expected, Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer pledged to make sure residents and their votes are safe. Record early turnout is leading some people to believe Michigan could also break records on Election Day itself. On Wednesday, Whitmer, Lt. Gov. President Donald Trump has said he’s concerned about the integrity of the election in Michigan.

BIRMINGHAM, Mich. – Eric and Tiffany Trump will visit Michigan on Thursday for separate events, the Donald Trump campaign announced. Eric Trump is making stops at Hope Sports Complex in Lansing and ResLife Church in Grandville, Michigan. The Lansing event will begin at 2:30 p.m., and the Grandville event will begin at 6 p.m., according to the campaign. Tiffany Trump is scheduled to attend a “Breakfast With Tiffany” event at 9 a.m. Thursday in Birmingham. Donald J. Trump for President, Inc. today announced Tiffany Trump will headline a ‘Breakfast with Tiffany’ event in Birmingham, Michigan on Thursday, October 29th in support of President Donald J. Trump’s re-election.

Gretchen Whitmer is holding a news conference Wednesday to discuss voting in the upcoming General Election. You can watch live in the stream above. Governor Garlin Gilchrist II, Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson and Attorney General Dana Nessel. The goal is to ensure a convenient and flexible election to Michiganders, state officials said. Click here to view ClickOnDetroit’s full coverage of the election.

There’s just one week left to campaign before Election Day, as the races are coming down to the wire for candidates. Local 4′s Hank Winchester is helping Michigan residents make sure their votes count, in addition to troubleshooting issues that might come up. A record number of Michiganders have already submitted their votes for the election. Residents can also vote in person on Election Day, but because of the pandemic, you will be encouraged to wear a mask and practice social distancing. You can also register at your clerk on Election Day and still vote.

All rights reserved)FLINT, Mich. – Vice President Mike Pence is scheduled to hold a “Make American Great Again” rally Wednesday in Flint, Donald Trump’s campaign announced. The event is scheduled for 7 p.m. Wednesday at Bishop International Airport. Pence will hold similar rallies in Mosinee, Wisconsin, at 3 p.m. CT Wednesday, in Des Moines, Iowa, at 1:30 p.m. CT Thursday, and in Reno, Nevada, at 5 p.m. PT Thursday. Trump’s campaign said the rallies will feature remarks from Pence and Republican candidates. RELATED: President Donald Trump to hold rally in Michigan 1 week before Election Day

DETROIT – Vice presidential candidate Kamala Harris took a moment Sunday to discuss how a Biden/Harris administration could impact Michiganders. Harris was in Metro Detroit to campaign for Joe Biden and visited Detroit, Troy and Pontiac. Harris spent decades working her way up from being an Alameda County deputy district attorney to the Attorney General of California. Senator for California in 2017 before she was announced as former vice president Joe Biden’s running mate in the 2020 U.S. Presidential Election. Watch Part 2 of the interview with Harris here (watch Part 1 above):

Vice presidential candidate Kamala Harris will visit Detroit, Troy and Pontiac on Sunday to campaign for Joe Biden. Sen. Harris will start at a drive-in church event in Detroit before heading to speak at an event in Troy. Sunday night, Harris will participate in a Vote Now drive-in rally to encourage Michiganders to vote early in Pontiac. American singer and musician Lizzo is also scheduled to campaign for Biden this weekend in Michigan. She will speak at an event in Detroit, followed by another event in Harper Woods on Friday afternoon.

All rights reserved)Vice presidential candidate Kamala Harris will visit Detroit on Sunday to campaign for Joe Biden. The announcement comes the morning after Biden and President Donald Trump squared off in the final debate before the 2020 election. Harris spoke last month about trying to earn Michiganders' support during Biden’s campaign. American singer and musician Lizzo is also scheduled to campaign for Biden this weekend in Michigan. She will speak at an event in Detroit, followed by another event in Harper Woods on Friday afternoon

Nessel took to Twitter Wednesday to debunk election security myths and encourage Michigan residents to vote in the 2020 presidential election -- with a timely, spooky twist, of course. Michigan voters can be assured that the claims made in the robocalls are false, and that their information will not be made public. Though Election Day is officially November 3, voting in the 2020 presidential election is already underway in Michigan and throughout the U.S. with early in-person voting and mail-in voting. If you would like to vote in person, but still want to do so before Election Day, visit your local clerk’s office. Click here to find the location and contact information for your local clerk’s office in Michigan.

DETROIT – All eyes are on the city of Detroit ahead of the Nov. 3 General Election. Detroit City Clerk Janice Winfrey said things will be different this time around. Winfrey has been city clerk since 2005. “Our issues in August stemmed from the lack of poll workers that we were able to recruit from. She believes that she has done a “better than good” job in her years as city clerk.

LANSING, Mich. – Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson will host virtual press conference to discuss Election Day, share new absentee ballot request and return numbers, and answer elections-related questions from the press. Watch the live event at 10:30 a.m. in the video player above. The November General Election is just two weeks away. ClickOnDetroit has been here every step of the way in 2020, and you can count us for election coverage and results through the end of the year. We have a guide here for what to expect on election day itself: What to know before voting in General Election in Michigan on Nov. 3, 2020More: 14 days until November election: Here’s what to know in Michigan

PONTIAC, Mich. – Oakland County officials are testing election security, and election workers are testing for every possible way to fill out a ballot to make sure nothing is out of place before Election Day. We have so many checks and balances in place in Michigan,” said Oakland County clerk Lisa Brown. Millions have already cast their ballots, and county clerks are working to be able to prepare their counts one day early. Election officials are also warning to get ballots in as soon as possible or even drop them off in person so the count can get underway on Nov. 3. My staff’s done an incredible job to find the most efficient process, and I think we’ll be OK,” Brown said.

Michigan clerks are facing an uphill battle this year with the upcoming presidential election taking place during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. Two clerks spoke with Local 4 on Monday about what voters can expect, including how long it could take to count all of the absentee ballots. Early voting numbers are huge, as thousands of Michigan residents have already returned absentee ballots. Many residents are hoping election results come in soon after the polls close, but that’s not likely to happen this year. You can hear more from both clerks in the full Help Me Hank report in the video above.

DETROIT – Absentee ballots must arrive by Election Day to be counted, the Michigan Court of Appeals said Friday, blocking a 14-day extension that had been ordered by a lower court and embraced by key Democratic officials in a battleground state. Any changes must rest with the Legislature, not the judiciary, the Republican-appointed appeals court judges said in a 3-0 opinion. Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson last week said 2.7 million people had requested absentee ballots, a result of a change in law that makes them available to any voter. Michigan law says absentee ballots must be turned in by 8 p.m. on Election Day to be valid. The case was heard by appeals court judges Boonstra, Michael Gadola and Thomas Cameron.

ABC News hosted a live town hall with Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden, moderated by George Stephanopoulos, on Thursday night. President Donald Trump participated in a simultaneous town hall Thursday night on NBC. Watch Local 4 News at 5 a.m. for a Trust Index fact check of both town halls. President Donald Trump and challenger Joe Biden competed for TV audiences in dueling town halls instead of meeting face-to-face for their second debate as originally planned. The two took questions in different cities on different networks Thursday night: Trump on NBC from Miami, Biden on ABC from Philadelphia.

NBC News hosted a live town hall with Republican presidential nominee President Donald Trump, moderated by Savannah Guthrie, on Thursday night. Joe Biden participated in a simultaneous town hall Thursday night on ABC. Watch Local 4 News at 5 a.m. for a Trust Index fact check of both town halls. President Donald Trump and challenger Joe Biden competed for TV audiences in dueling town halls instead of meeting face-to-face for their second debate as originally planned. The two took questions in different cities on different networks Thursday night: Trump on NBC from Miami, Biden on ABC from Philadelphia.

ANN ARBOR, Mich. – As part of the City of Ann Arbor’s efforts to prepare for a high volume of ballot returns for the presidential election on Nov. 3, additional ballot boxes have been placed around the city. In addition to the Larcom City Hall box, six new boxes can be found around Ann Arbor where city voters can return their ballots. Outside, by the Eisenhower entrance of Ann Arbor Fire Station 6, 1881 Briarwood Circle . In addition to City Hall, there are now 6 new City of Ann Arbor ballot drop boxes installed, securely, throughout the city. Voters with questions about voting in Ann Arbor should visit www.a2gov.org/electionsRelated:A look inside the Ann Arbor City Clerk’s U-M Museum of Art satellite officeAnn Arbor City Clerk’s Office extends hours in October

DETROIT – On Friday, Detroit’s city clerk and postmaster discussed the process of how ballots already in the mail will be handled this year. “Every ballot will reach its intended destination,” said Detroit Postmaster, Darron Bray. “We will timely deliver all election mail, and we will do that definitely securely,” Bray said. Winfrey is urging voters to trust that everything will go smoothly on Election Day. Trust the process,” Winfrey said.

LANSING, Mich. – Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson are holding a news conference Tuesday to talk about voting in the upcoming presidential election. Whitmer, Benson and Delta Township Clerk Mary Clark will talk about voting opportunities and the Nov. 3 election. Whitmer will also sign legislation to make sure every vote is counted and residents can vote safely during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, officials said. You can watch live in the stream above.

Exclusive new poll numbers show Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden extended his lead by three, bringing him to eight points in Michigan over President Donald Trump. “The biggest shift of all came among white senior citizens in Michigan,” said Richard Czuba, CEO of the Glengariff Group. The new WDIV/Detroit News poll was conducted after the first presidential debate and before the president was diagnosed with COVID-19. It is the fulcrum point of this election,” Czuba said. A majority of the people who participated in the poll watched the presidential debate.

DETROIT – The city of Detroit is trying to make sure everyone casts a vote during the presidential election, creating 23 satellite voting centers and deploying 10,000 poll workers with a major pay raise. The satellite voting centers opened Monday and will be available seven days a week. With 30 drop boxes and 23 satellite voting centers, Detroiters have options. Many of the satellite voting centers are in large rec centers not being utilized due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. Click here to view a full list of the locations for drop boxes and satellite voting centers.

As we enter the home stretch in the 2020 presidential election, the candidates can’t make every campaign stop themselves. On Monday, Sen. Bernie Sanders made multiple stops in Michigan to stump for the Joe Biden campaign. He started the day at the University of Michigan, attempting to rally his supporters in Ann Arbor to vote for Biden. “Now, it’s no great secret at all that Joe Biden and I have differences of opinion,” Sanders said. You can hear what Sanders had to say in the video posted above.

DETROIT – The city of Detroit will open 23 satellite voting centers throughout the city and will also add seven secure standalone ballot drop boxes starting Monday, Oct. 5. The centers will be open Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Saturdays and Sundays from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. They will also be open Election Day, Nov. 3, from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.Detroit residents will be able to vote and cast their ballot at all of the satellite centers. For a complete list of satellite voting centers and ballot drop box locations click here.

ANN ARBOR, Mich. – Adaptive Energy, an Ann Arbor fuel-cell manufacturer turned personal protective equipment manufacturer, has donated PPE to the Michigan Department of State ahead of the November election. The $57,000 donation comes in the form of hand sanitizer, touchless door openers and face shields for polling places and election offices. The PPE is intended to help protect election workers and voters who visit polling places and election offices from the coronavirus (COVID-19). In March, the fuel-cell manufacturer switched to making PPE with its 30 members team in Ann Arbor. Edison and Adaptive Energy owner Ranvir Gujral established Arbor Apothecary to make intubation boxes and medical face shields.

Officials in Michigan are reminding residents it’s a crime to threaten or intimidate people over their right to vote, even ahead of what’s expected to be a very contentious election. “You know what we have is a very contentious election coming up,” U.S. Attorney Matthew Schneider said. “It is a federal crime to interfere with somebody’s right to vote.”Schneider spoke with the Local 4 Defenders just 36 days before the presidential election. “When people are angry, they take to Facebook.”He said officials are looking for those cases so they can bring people to justice. Arguing over politics is an American tradition and protected by the First Amendment, but threatening people to keep them from voting is a crime, Schneider said.

Are you ready to cast your vote for President? Perhaps you’ve already done so now that mail-in voting is fast underway in Michigan. If you haven’t already cast your ballot, do you think the series of presidential debates has any chance of changing your mind about either former Vice President Joe Biden or President Donald Trump? Do you think the debates could change anyone’s mind? Take the quick poll, then tell us why:Trust Index: What do you want fact-checked from presidential debate?

– Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden delivered remarks Sunday on the U.S. Supreme Court following President Trump’s nomination of Amy Coney Barrett to replace the late Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg. On Saturday, U.S. President Donald Trump announced his nomination of Barrett to the U.S. Supreme Court following the death of Justice Ginsburg, a liberal icon. Supreme Court decisions affect our everyday lives, and the Constitution was designed to give voters a voice on who makes those decisions. A judge on the federal appeals court based in Chicago, Barrett and her ideologies significantly contrast those of the late Justice Ginsburg. President Trump and former Vice President Biden are slated to debate on Tuesday night in Ohio.

LANSING, Mich. – The 2020 Election is Nov. 3, but in Michigan you can cast your vote starting Thursday. Early and absentee voting is officially underway in Michigan. “We want you to wear your mask and bring your form of ID so you can cast your ballot,” Whitmer said. “Secretary Benson and Clerk Winfrey are working very closely to ensure that this election runs smoothly," Whitmer said. We want to ensure that Michigan voices get counted.”

By law, Michigan clerks must begin mailing requested absent voter ballots to voters 40 days before the election -- which is September 24. The state of Michigan mailed absentee voting applications to all registered Michigan voters in May for this year’s August and November elections. Inside of your official Michigan absent voter ballot envelope is a brightly-colored “secrecy sleeve” containing your ballot. Emergency Michigan absent voter ballots must still be returned to the voter’s local clerk’s office by the 8 p.m. deadline on Election Day. For more information about emergency absent voter ballots, Michigan voters are encouraged to contact their local clerk’s office directly.

Filling out a Michigan absent voter ballot for the 2020 General ElectionOnce you receive your absent voter ballot in the mail, it simply needs to be filled out following the written instructions attached and returned before the deadline. Inside of your official Michigan absent voter ballot envelope is a brightly-colored “secrecy sleeve” containing your ballot. To return your absent voter ballot on time, you have two options:Return your absent voter ballot by mailYou can return your completed absent voter ballot by mailing it to your local clerk’s office. Postage will be required to return your Michigan absent voter ballot by mail. A Michigan voter hoping to spoil their previously-cast vote has two options to do so:Spoil your Michigan absent voter ballot by mailTo spoil your Michigan absent voter ballot by mail, you must send a letter to your local clerk’s office stating as such.